STOCKTON - The Stockton Pro-Am racquetball tournament will bring some of the biggest names in the sport to In-Shape Health Club West Lane this week.

Top-ranked and eight-time U.S. Open champion Kane Waselenchuk, a resident of Austin, Texas, out of Edmonton, Alberta, will defend his title against a field that includes Stockton products Jose Rojas, currently ranked fifth, Marco Rojas, ranked 12th, and No. 14 Jose Diaz. Last year's runner-up, third-ranked Alvaro Beltran of Mexico, also is scheduled to play. Another player to watch is 47-year-old Cliff Swain, a six-time IRT champion, who is ready to take another swing at the pro division.

The Tier 1 event on the International Racquetball Tour, believed to be the oldest and longest-running tournament of its kind, dating to 1981, with a six-year hiatus in the early 2000s, begins today and ends Saturday.

Jose Rojas has numerous junior and world titles to his credit. He turned pro in 2008 and was named the IRT Rookie of the Year in 2010. Rojas, who turned 23 Saturday, has steadily climbed the ranks and earned his first IRT title in February 2012 in San Diego. He would like nothing more than to earn his second title in his hometown.

Marco Rojas reached his first semifinal in a Tier 1 event in mid-April at the Party with the Pros event in St. Louis.

The Stockton products comprise Team Ektelon and are coached by Dave Ellis, the USA National Team coach and father of John Ellis, the tournament director, who played on the IRT and owns Pro Racquetball Academy.

Waselenchuk, 41, has battled nagging injuries of late, but he still won in St. Louis and the Tournament of Champions last week in Portland. Waselenchuk is riding a 137-match winning streak dating to January 2009 and is the prohibitive favorite this week.

There also will be 14-under competition, with several locals entered, and men's combined 75-plus doubles.